2016 NATIONAL THEATRE ON ICE COMPETITION
SENIOR Defending champion Harmony used music
from Te Lion King to depict the “Circle of Life.” Colorful animal print costumes complemented the story line and music. Powerful ensemble skat- ing, nuanced choreography, a strong performance quality and precise unison while covering the en- tire ice surface earned the team the title. “I think it started with the music. We just
really loved the ‘Circle of Life’ and it was very meaningful to us,” Piercyn Hunt, a coach and choreographer for all the Harmony teams, said. “Te costumes just spiraled and things fell into place. It felt really good.” Hunt’s mother, Michelle, and her cousin and
teammate, Ashlee Pantano, led the charge in de- signing the costumes. While there was pressure to repeat as cham-
pions, Hunt said she and the Harmony Company skaters welcomed the challenge. “Big risk, a big reward, is kind of what we
always say,” Hunt said. “If there’s no pressure, then there’s no diamond.” Hunt, 23, called this year one of her favor-
ites because she got to skate alongside many of her longtime friends. Entering the free skate in third place, Creative
Ice Teatre from the Northern Ice SC in Illinois pulled up to grab the silver medal with a story of an old man rediscovering his youth through an aban- doned carousel. Te program featured a whirling circular footwork sequence that captured the car- ousel theme perfectly, as well as showcasing strong skating skills and double toe loops landed in unison. Los Angeles Ice Teater (Los Angeles FSC)
skated the story of souls lost between the realms of the living and the dead, complete with shadowy spirits and dark gargoyles. Te program featured exemplary edge elements, including Charlotte spi- rals, dance and pairs lifts, as well as Axels in unison. A dramatic footwork sequence that encompassed the length of the ice highlighted the program.
JUNIOR Performing a silent film-themed program,
Harmony earned gold, acting with energy and skating with precision. Te costumes, in a vari- ety of black, white and gray shades, accented the theme, as did the nuanced choreography. Te group displayed fine unison and strong execution, incorporating pairs elements, including a split double twist, along with the entire team landing Axels simultaneously. “Tis team had a tough year in 2015 (finish-
ing third at nationals) with a few falls and a few collisions,” Hunt said. “Tey weren’t really happy and wanted some redemption. Tat was huge mo- tivation and they came out firing on all cylinders.” Dressed all in red, the San Francisco Ice Te-
atre (Skating Club of San Francisco) performed its free skate to “Bolero,” building to a crescendo at the end. Te team performed intricate choreography, including a unison footwork sequence with a series of intersections. Te crescendo effect was further highlighted by a series of cascading Axels and re- peating sequences that added skaters each time. Finishing with the bronze medal, the Hous-
ton Starz (Starz of Houston FSC) had the most widespread use of props among the top teams. In addition to utilizing long ribbon banners and cos- tume lighting, the team used three doors to tell a story of the three stages of life and growth, from innocence to struggle and rebellion, and culmi-
Piercyn Hunt, front, leads a passionate Harmony team to victory in the senior ranks.
nating in love and hope. Teir costumes featured LED-lit hearts, and their skating showcased pairs elements and strong jumps.
NOVICE Harmony, performing to music from the
movie soundtrack to Peter Pan, skated an ener- getic and fast-paced program that showcased its dynamic skating. “Neverlanding” wasn’t a prob- lem for the team, as it displayed unison on several jumping passes. Its costuming also told the story of Peter Pan, complete with Tinkerbell, resplen- dent in LED lights. Harmony garnered the gold medal. Telling the story of two girls who find them-
selves trapped in a magic shop, San Francisco Ice Teatre engaged the audience with costuming that included a skating deck of cards and bunnies that popped out of a hat. San Francisco demon- strated an excellent use of props and a sound per- formance quality en route to the silver medal. Also using dynamic props, Virginia Ice Te-
atre (SC of Northern Virginia) told the story of a mystical land where a phoenix and dragon keep watch over a magic pearl. Using effective lighting on their costumes and strong primary colors, the team told an engaging story with strong technical elements, including Axels as a group and unison skating. Virginia earned the bronze medal.
ADULT From depicting scenes in the Te Rocky Hor-
ror Picture Show to the jolly green ogre in Shrek, the adult teams had the audience roaring in de- light.
Harmony’s performance of Shrek provided
an enchanting retelling of the movie story line, with a kick line demonstrating cohesion and group skating. Strong attention to detail was ap- parent in the gold-medal performance, from cos- tumes that highlighted Lord Farquaad’s slight stat- ure to choreography that hit every musical accent. Yarmouth Ice Teatre (Yarmouth Ice Club)
took home the silver medal with the first of two 1920s-themed programs. Using selections from the musical Chicago, the team retold the story of Roxie Hart with jazzy and upbeat choreography. Amid largely upbeat and fun programs, Starz
of Houston stood out with a compelling story of il- legal oil drilling in the rain forest. Te bronze-med- al program highlighted the jumping ability of its members, as well as featuring several strong pairs elements. Te team brought the audience to its feet
in the final moments of the program when it per- formed a magic trick that resulted in the protago- nist disappearing into thin air.
PRELIMINARY Elmer Fudd chased that wascally wabbit
all the way to a gold medal when Center Stage of Boston (Te Skating Club of Boston) skated a Looney Tunes-themed free skate. Te game of chase incorporated many characters in clever cos- tumes, including the Road Runner holding TNT, and showcased many ensemble elements, such as intersecting spirals. Finishing with the silver medal, the Hous-
ton Starz performed the story of two young girls sneaking into an attic and finding some old, lifeless ballet dolls. Te dolls come to life with LED lights hidden in their costumes. Te dolls interact with the girls who discovered them. Te performance featured strong skating and well-timed lifts. Ashburn Teatre on Ice (Washington FSC)
performed a program to music from Te Lion King that featured dynamic costumes, including ones with giraffes and zebras. Maintaining great energy throughout, the team showcased smooth edge elements, including spread eagles and spirals. Ashburn claimed the bronze medal.
OPEN First after the choreographic exercise, Ocean
State Ice Teatre (Pawtucket & Providence FSC) breezed to victory while performing its free skate to music from Te Lion King. Ocean State kicked off its performance with a unique circular group lift.
Harmony entered the free skate fourth, but
rallied to claim the silver medal with Seussical. Wearing eye-catching costumes and led by the Cat in the Hat, the team combined strong ensem- ble elements with a dynamic performance quality. River City Ice Teatre (Greater Evansville
FSC), which will host next year’s national event, had a strong showing to secure the bronze medal. Skating a circus-themed program, the team showed off its athletic ability with challenging lifts and cartwheels.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS Chicagoland Ice Teatre Inspirations (Wagon
Wheel Figure Skating Club) performed to music from the movie Beauty and the Beast. Te lone team in the category used lavish props and showcased strong elements, including Belle reading during a flying camel.
SKATING 11
KRPHOTOGS PHOTOGRAPHY
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